First foray into enlarging..

rootberry · Jul 9, 2007

Hey guys, I have sort of a problem. For the past couple of years I've been shooting 8x10 and contact printing. Before that, I shot 4x5 and contact printed. Now, I've acquired a MF camera and have been shooting like crazy with the thing! I have wanted an enlarger for years, but never really thought it was worth it since I shot so much 8x10. I'm really itching to enlarge and have been looking for deals.. and I found one, a Omega Super Chromega D 4x5 enlarger with all the trimmings.. for 350$. This to me, seems like a pretty incredible deal and it's local too. The problem is I shoot 98% BW and know absolutely nothing about enlarging. Is this enlarger decent for BW? Is 350$ a good deal for a clean version of this enlarger? I'm pretty confused at this point, I just sorta assumed I'd end up with a 60 year old durst or something... any advice from the darkroom wizards??

ann · Jul 9, 2007

what does trimmings mean?
these are nice enlargers, however, 350 these days may be a bit high, it will depend on how many negative carriers , lenses, etc.

Nick Zentena · Jul 9, 2007

It'll be fine for B&W. The colour head will make VC paper easier to use. Also split filtering. It'll be pointed out you should likely develop your film a little longer in comparison to a condensor head but not a real issue.

On the price? Today who knows. You don't say what's included. It would certainly cost you more new.

rootberry · Jul 9, 2007

The enlarger comes with all size carriers, 150 Rodogon lens,80 Componon S lens, Chromegatrol timer, Saunders Master easel 11X14, 4X5 speed carrier..

Bob F. · Jul 9, 2007

A quick look at previous sales on ebay.com suggests this is a good but not spectacularly low price. If all is in good condition then it's worth the asking price (and given the size and weight of 4x5 enlargers, one available locally is well worth grabbing).

The only other thing I can think of from the top of my head is if you need different sized diffuser boxes for the different size negatives and if so, does it have them? On my Durst L1200 you can use a 4x5 diffuser for MF but you loose about 2 stops of wasted light.

Good luck, Bob.

rootberry · Jul 9, 2007

I believe the diffusers are included- I sent an email to be sure.. I have a buddy who keeps telling me to get a saunders, but they are so expensive! I just don't understand the price differences on things like this, is it build quality or something? I really would like to buy something that I can be happy with for a very long time, not something I will quickly come to hate...

David Brown · Jul 9, 2007

Bob F. said:
The only other thing I can think of from the top of my head is if you need different sized diffuser boxes for the different size negatives and if so, does it have them? On my Durst L1200 you can use a 4x5 diffuser for MF but you loose about 2 stops of wasted light.

Good luck, Bob.

There are only two light boxes for this head: a 4x5 ("D") and a MF ("B"). There is about one stop difference. Many users of this head have only the 4x5 and use it for all formats.

I got one of these for $100. I have spent another $100-200 buying parts and neg carriers (including the "B" light box I don't use) :rolleyes:

Considering what shipping this beast would have cost, if it's in good shape, $350 is a good price, especially with a Saunders easel and two good lenses!

ann · Jul 9, 2007

i would agree with david on this, with the cost of shipping and all the extras that seem to be included it may be a good buy.

the saunders are nice enlargers, rarely have seen a 4500 used for sale, and then it was a lot more expensive.

these enlargers are well built and will last many life times, if taken care of and not abused.

eclarke · Jul 9, 2007

Just for reference and comparison, check auction #230149877378. It's amazing what good enlarging equipment is bringing. I actually bought a new 4500 VCCE last year and could have saved a lot of money had I waited for a used one..they come up frequently..Evan Clarke

rootberry · Jul 9, 2007

I've been watching that auction actually, but was told that if I was going to get a saunders, I should wait for a VCCE like you have.. The search continues..

Nick Zentena · Jul 9, 2007

Why would you wait for the cheaper VCCE?

Nick Zentena · Jul 9, 2007

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/90219-REG/Omega_209457_LPL_4550XLG_4x5_Color.html

versus

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/364032-REG/Omega_209467_LPL_4550XLG_4x5_Variable.html

rootberry · Jul 9, 2007

or maybe a model with an X in the name.. XL? Like I said, I'm pretty much useless when it comes to this stuff..

eclarke · Jul 9, 2007

rootberry said:
I've been watching that auction actually, but was told that if I was going to get a saunders, I should wait for a VCCE like you have.. The search continues..

My VCCE is the best thing since buttered bread, I have a 4500II dichroic also.
When you change contrast with the dichroic, the exposure can change, with the VCCE there is a neutral density filter which maintains the exact exposure time. At any rate, I did just fine with the dichroic also. The nice thing about the LPL enlargers is that there is no fiddling with alignment and they are very rigid. I also have 2 Omegas and they work fine too. The best part about the one you are looking at is that it is where you can pick it up and inspect it. These enlargers are like any other tool, you just need to learn technique with it...Good Luck..Evan Clarke

eclarke · Jul 9, 2007

Nick Zentena said:
Why would you wait for the cheaper VCCE?

Because all your colors are black, grey and white!! ..EC

Nick Zentena · Jul 9, 2007

eclarke said:
Because all your colors are black, grey and white!! ..EC

That's why they give you three dials on the colour head

Nick Zentena · Jul 9, 2007

rootberry said:
or maybe a model with an X in the name.. XL? Like I said, I'm pretty much useless when it comes to this stuff..

Those are all basically the same chassis. It's just the head that's different.

rootberry · Jul 9, 2007

hrm.. I'm almost positive that I wouldn't find a saunders locally. Is shipping something this large exactly safe?

Nick Zentena · Jul 9, 2007

Well it came from Japan to begin with.

rootberry · Jul 9, 2007

...but...but I trust the Japanese!

rootberry · Jul 9, 2007

In the opinion of saunders users, is 700-800$ a good price for this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Saunders-LPL-Su...ryZ29985QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I would also estimate 100-150$ (?) to ship it to the east coast...

fschifano · Jul 10, 2007

Bob F. said:
The only other thing I can think of from the top of my head is if you need different sized diffuser boxes for the different size negatives and if so, does it have them? On my Durst L1200 you can use a 4x5 diffuser for MF but you loose about 2 stops of wasted light.

I recently came into DB light box for the Omega D series Chromega head. It was free, so I figured what the heck, I'll give it a try with 6x7 and smaller negatives. Not a good idea. It is too efficient, and my exposure times are too short unless I stop the lens down to f/16. As long as you have the largest size mixing chamber for the head, you're good to go. Don't worry about getting smaller mixing chambers unless you find exposures to be unacceptable long. I don't think you will.

eclarke · Jul 10, 2007

rootberry said:
In the opinion of saunders users, is 700-800$ a good price for this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Saunders-LPL-Su...ryZ29985QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I would also estimate 100-150$ (?) to ship it to the east coast...

It's a lot of stuff and everything is very good, go to B&H or Omega Satter and see the new prices. I also think you will like the Nikon lens. I bought my dichroic used from a guy in Iowa and it shipped OK, the nice thing is that you can just bolt it together and the alignment is good...Evan Clarke

First foray into enlarging..

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